UTEP professor, local GOP leader discuss Trump’s stunning upset

Some Borderland residents are worried about what a Donald Trump presidency could mean, from the possibility of building a border wall to immigration round-ups and perceived racism.

ABC-7 asked several people if they had trouble sleeping Tuesday night and most said they did.

UTEP Political Science Professor Dr. Irasema Coronado said everyone needs to remember there is a congress, a court system and a constitution and those outline the duties and responsibilities of the executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Coronado said Trump’s repeated campaign promise to build a wall along the border will largely depend on the will of Congress.

Adolpho Telles, Chairman of the Republican Party of El Paso, said he doesn’t think people along the border need to be nervous about a Trump presidency.

He said Trump is focused on getting rid of criminals that have entered the country illegally. Coronado, however, said it’s difficult for people here to forget Trump’s approach during the campaign.

Telles pointed out Trump’s speech early Wednesday morning focused on working together. “His intention is to do what’s best for America, not just Republicans and people who voted for him,” Telles said, “but for all Americans and I think that was the right message.”

“People are concerned the Trump campaign rhetoric will influence people’s daily lives, their decision making,” Coronado said. “Will people experience sexism and racism and will it be tolerated because the president said it was okay?”

Coronado indicated she’s already received two calls from students concerned about Trump vacating the executive immigration orders President Obama issued, specifically DACA, or deferred action for childhood arrivals. It allowed more than 700,000 immigrants brought here illegally as children to temporarily remain.